"A South Yorkshire police spokesperson said the force had referred the investigation on because the allegations fall under Section 3 of the National Security Act, the BBC reported. Section 3 of the act deals with assisting a foreign intelligence service. An offence is committed if someone behaves in a way that intends that conduct to materially assist a foreign intelligence service in carrying out UK-related activities, or in conduct likely to assist that service."
"A spokesperson for Sheffield Hallam said the decision to halt the academic's work was based on our understanding of a complex set of circumstances at the time, including being unable to secure the necessary professional indemnity insurance. Following a review, we have since approved Prof Murphy's latest research and are committed to supporting her to undertake and disseminate this important work."
Sheffield Hallam University ordered Professor Laura Murphy to stop research on supply chains and forced labour in China in February, citing complex circumstances and lack of professional indemnity insurance. Murphy's work focuses on Uyghurs and forced labour. South Yorkshire Police referred the investigation to counter-terrorism authorities because the allegations fall under Section 3 of the National Security Act, which concerns assisting a foreign intelligence service and criminalises conduct likely to materially assist such a service. In October the university apologised, lifted the ban, approved Murphy's latest research and committed to supporting and disseminating her work while upholding academic freedom within the law.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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